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Cadillac Seville

Cadillac originally used the Seville name during the 1950s to denote a coupe version of the popular Cadillac Eldorado. However, when the company launched the Seville as its own full-fledged model twenty years later, it would prove to be one of Cadillac's most popular vehicles. After decades of building expansive, luxurious land barges, Cadillac introduced the Seville in 1975 as the company's first "internationally-sized" vehicle.

The Seville was, in part, Cadillac's response to the Middle East oil crises and subsequent domestic gas crunches of the early 1970s. With more Americans buying imports at the time and other American automakers downsizing their models, Cadillac sensed change was in the air. Cadillac responded by making the Seville, the smallest and most expensive sedan to be produced by the automaker.

The Seville line experienced many changes through the years. It rose and fell in popularity as the company tinkered with the formula and the taste of the car-buying public shifted. The Seville's sales hit a decided lull in the 1980s during Cadillac's ill-fated flirtation with diesel engines. However in the 1990s, with Cadillac successfully revising and refreshing their entire brand, the Seville made a comeback with drivers and automotive pundits. Unfortunately, this comeback was to be short-lived as lingering concerns about the Seville's quality persisted, leading to Cadillac ultimately putting an end to the Seville line in 2004.

About the Cadillac Seville

The Cadillac Seville was a midsize luxury sedan that was manufactured from 1975 until 2004. While the Seville is often regarded as a large Cadillac offering, it was always smaller than most Cadillacs and was second in the lineup after the De Ville. The Seville was also more performance-minded than many other Cadillac models, particularly the De Ville.

Cadillac Seville Features

Cadillac stopped producing the Seville in 2004. The Seville was powered by a potent V-8 engine and was particularly well suited for long distance driving. The 2004 model Seville offered a smooth ride and put luxury center stage with a generous array of standard features that included leather upholstery, power accessories, keyless entry, auxiliary steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, dual-zone climate control, and an audio system with a CD player. The 2004 Seville also received high marks for safety with excellent crash test scores.

In addition to the Base SLS model, the 2004 Seville was also available in a more up market STS trim level that included an improved sound system by Bose, windshield wipers that sensed rain, fog lights, and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Both trim levels were outfitted with stability control and Continuously Variable Road-Sensing Suspension (CVRSS). CVRSS was a system innovated by Cadillac that automatically made adjustments to the firmness of the dampers in order to suit road conditions.

Cadillac Seville Evolution

The first generation of the Cadillac Seville was produced from 1976 to 1979. It was based on the GM X body platform and featured rear wheel drive. Notably, the original Seville shared many mechanical traits with another popular GM vehicle at the time, the Chevy Nova. Early versions of the Seville were powered by 5.7-liter V-8 engines outfitted with Bendix/Bosch fuel injection systems. These systems, along with the 180 horsepower generated by the car's V-8, helped facilitate the smooth handling and muscular performance of the early Seville.

Produced between 1980 and 1985, the second generation of the Seville was a four-door sedan with front-wheel drive and an independent rear suspension. The second generation of the Seville offered drivers a choice between a 6.0-liter V-8, a 5.7-liter diesel V-8, a 6.0 6-4 V-8, a 4.1 Buick V-7, and different variations of a 4.1 V-8.

Built from 1986 through 1991, the third generation of the Seville was made available in base and STS trim levels. Of this generation, the final year is regarded as the best. The 1991 Seville was powered by a 4.9-liter V-8 and included standard features such as power accessories, automatic climate control, and an AM/FM cassette sound system.

The fourth generation of the Seville was produced from 1992 to 1997. It was also available in two trim levels, the base and STS. Base models during this period included standard features such as climate control, power accessories, and AM/FM cassette audio systems. Optional features included heated seats, power moonroof, and an improved audio system with a CD player.

The final generation of the Seville saw many improvements and the introduction of more modern features. Navigation systems and rear parking assist capabilities were made available starting in 2000. In 2002, Satellite radio and a more advanced navigation system both became options. In 2003, Cadillac upgraded the CVRSS and introduced 17-inch chrome wheels to the STS trim level. 2004 was the final year the Seville was on the market and during that year the car was only available in the base trim level.